Every year on May 17, Norwegians shed their typically reserved shell to dress up, hit the streets and party. It’s a day full of national pride, yet there’s no displays of military power and the politicians keep quiet. Norway’s Constitution Day is all about the children.
The lack of military parades is perhaps the most notable difference about Norway’s Constitution Day compared to many other countries around the world. Instead, the main parade is full of children from local schools, often in marching bands. Proud parents watch on with smartphone cameras at the ready before joining a people’s parade later in the day.
Some highlights of the day’s parade.
Also joining the people’s parade are Norway’s high school graduates. Known as russ, they are easy to spot in their brightly-colored overalls. On May 17, they are likely to be taking it easy as the day marks the culmination of a two-week period of partying that is seen as a rite-of-passage by most Norwegians.
I was invited for tradition brunch/lunch with a norwegian family. I met the 94 years grandma, a fantastic enthusiastic lady. She is still actively living in her own house. She talked about flowers, garden, grocery shopping and even she told us about her country tour on bicycle during war time.
The whole event reminds me of celebrating festivals in India. The table was full of fantastic traditional dishes. Members of extended family paying small visits and tasting the food. It was a sunny day and as we were sitting outside, passing neighbours were stopping by for a moment and some even dropped in and enjoyed their share of champagne. All in all it was a fantastic day for everyone.
My contribution for Jo’s Monday walk and lens-artists-photo-challenge as I see the parade an example of lively street art.
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Sounds like a memorable weekend Rupali…. Love it when people meet, greet and eat, especially!
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Exactly, Kavitha and with Norwegians there are very few occasions. Thanks.
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Love the little ones on ‘bikes’, Rupali 🙂 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you Jo.
Watching the parade was lot of fun.
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An event well captured
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Thank you Derrick.
I had limited time so I missed most of it.
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Wow great pics Rupali and so nice to see children from all ages enjoying the parade too. Yes u must be missing our festivals too. Great post.
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Yes, I do miss our festivals dear Kamal.
Thank you so much.
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Welcome dear Rupali
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Hi, Rupali. Glad you joined us this week! I love that the Norwegians celebrate their children–the future. It sounds like a great celebration. I’m glad you had the chance to celebrate with a Norwegian family too.
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Thank you so much Patti.
Yes it was a great opportunity to experience the culture.
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What a feast to share in – thank you.
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Thank you so much Paul.
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Pleasure Rupali
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A beautiful and memorable weekend
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Interesting approach to the challenge Rupali!
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Sounds like you had a great day, those kids look a bit intense, probably shy about being centre of attention but a great day for them.
Very glad you got to share the celebration with a traditional Norwegian family as you must miss the Indian festivals … there are so many!
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Kids of all age enjoy this day more than their birthday. They can get ice cream , hotdogs and other favourite food whole day and right from the breakfast.
There is something in the air with uplifting spirit. People dressed in their traditional dress, the bunad which represents their region and so centre was filed with hundreds of varities of bunads 🙂
Thank you Kate.
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sounds lovely but far more orderly than any Indian festival I’ve been too 🙂
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Don’t telll me.
To mark the limits for the viewers there were plastic tapes on both sides of the roads and believe me it worked as invisible walls in most of the places.
This is incredible the way people follow the rules.
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lol not a thing Indians do real well but the mass of humanity in India makes those big festivals totally overwhelming 🙂
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Thanks for appreciating it Kate.
The funniest thing is kids here learned to follow the rules from childhood and in India it’s like the rules are always to torture us and we must break them when it is possible 🙂
There comes the attitude 😀
I hope you have reached your mom’s place by now.
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saw pics of this same Norwegian festival being celebrated in USA … so expats must be keen too, although it looked like adults with flags 🙂
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Kids must be in school 😀
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yes, waiting to be shot … 😦
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Noooo… don’t say that.
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but sadly that is the reality of US schools …
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Sad isn’t it.
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Wonderful pictures! I absolutely love seeing how other cultures celebrate holidays and other significant events. It is great to see they focus on the children – they are our future! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures and the story.
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I am so glad you like it Kim.
Yes I feel myself fortunate to be part of this celebration.
Thanks Kim.
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You’ve captured it beautifully, Rupali…the colors, the pride, the joy! I’m so glad you got to be a part of this and thank you for sharing it with us!
I think if children were the focus in our world…for their safety, their good health, their well-being, their education, etc., the world would be a better place…and the future would be brighter.
HUGS!!! 🙂
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You said it all Carolyn.
Yes it’s all about children and if we change our focus this world would be a better place but 😦
Thanks for supporting.
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